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I had done a small study of this scene the first day. I started a larger composition when the roof shadow on the siding and the poplar had a more interesting angle. I also wanted to include part of the driveway as foreground. It then occurred to me to add the quail. I had taken many photos of them; I noticed they crossed this section of driveway morning and late afternoon. Once decided, I started making sketches from the photos. Then I did some reference on the bird for bettter sketches. The addition of the birds added a new level of interest and challenge for me as a painter and a whimsical aspect in the composition. St. Andrews Abbey, Valyermo, CA November 2013